Ovarian Cyst

[Weegle]

I have a dilema. I have a 4cm ovarian cyst on one of my ovaries. It was picked up during an MRI scan for something completely unrelated. I have had previous cysts, but I don't think as large. I have no idea if this is "big" or not. Anyway I have now been sent an ultrasound scan appointment, presumably for this to be checked out. It's not bothering me in the slightest and I have enough going on healthwise (and otherwise) that if possible I would like to ignore this and cancel the appointment saying I don't want further investigations. Is this stupid? Is it a big deal? I spent 2 weeks on a gynae ward a few years before kids and it traumatised me. I have rather more significant (in my mind) health concerns that I find stressful and require enough of my time, energy and emotion. Would it matter if I cancel this appointment and don't take this any further given it's not bothering me and I wouldn't know about it if it hasn't been for this unrelated MRI?

Get it checked
If it's a dermoid cyst it can grow to the size of a melon
Then it can damge intestines, ovaries, bladder
And ( not wanting to scare you) it could be cancerous. So get it checked. FROM EXPERIENCE.

Don't ignore it, get it checked. I had a dermoid which grew to 8cm and damaged my bladder and colon. Without wanting to be overly melodramatic, I was v ill after my op, and still suffer with adhesions, etc.

I'm not writing this with the intention of scaring you, but (to be totally cliched) it's better safe than sorry.

oh god I had no idea

I'm so scared of more investigations though. I know that's a false economy, burying my head int he sand.

I know what you mean, I was terrified when the gynae told me there was a solid mass in there. If the cyst is small and needs to be removed*, it can be done via laparoscopy, if you leave it, then unfortunately it will be a laparotomy.

*They may leave it, if it's fluid-filled. If it's got anything solid in it, then they will remove it, to be on the safe side. My cyst had a solid (benign) tumour in it, but if it had been left, it could have developed malignant cells.

Did the radiographer (?) give you any idea as to what type of cyst it is?

PS It's not a false economy, it's a completely normal human reaction.

Take care.

No - it wasn't a radiographer who told me. It was my rheumatology consultant as it was found on an MRI of my pelvis and back. She just said it in passing and I thought that was that and now today I've got this letter for an ultrasound appointment in May. I so don't need this

I agree with ScubaRosa, you can't afford to not too. My mum had ovarian cancer and I now have annual scans to check my ovaries. You just need to get it out at this point.

I had an ovarian cyst which was picked up on my ultrasound scan when i was pregnant with ds. It measured 1cm when found - they didn't do anything with it just kept an eye on it. By the time ds was born it has grown to 6cm. They told me that i should wait 6 months and see if it disappeared by itself. I was scanned again 6 months later it hadn't gone or gone down it size so i had it removed by keyhole surgery. Get it checked out mine was benign but i was told that they can sometimes burst and that can damage or even cause the removal of the ovary. Hope this helps, thinking of you

I've had a couple of ovarian cysts and would second everyone's advice to get it checked out properly. It could get bigger and cause more problems or it could burst, which can be very painful. I was in hospital for just 2 days when the second one was removed and recovered quickly.